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Important dead-lines for some EEA Nationals and their family members

The UK has now of course left the EU and the end of the 12 month “transition period” is almost here. It will in fact end at 11 pm on 31st December 2020.

EEA nationals and their family members who are resident in the UK before the end of the transition period will be able to apply (assuming they need to) for pre-settled status in the UK. They will have until the end of a further 6 month “grace period” – until 30th June 2021 – to do so.

Family members may still be able to join EEA family in the UK even if they have not become resident by the end of 2020 but they will generally need to apply to do so from outside the UK. They should not enter the UK as visitors and try to apply once they are already here.

From 1st July 2021 dependent parents of adult EEA children will need to prove their dependency in order to join their children in the UK. This is a significant change from the current assumption of dependency.

The consequences of Brexit, and the various deadlines to be aware of, are complex.

Please contact us for additional information about any of the above points or about any other aspect of immigration law on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk

SIGNIFICANT NEW RULES FOR SKILLED WORKERS IN FORCE TODAY

Much of the UK’s new immigration system has come into force today.

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of the Tier 2 Skilled Worker route which replaces the Tier 2 (General) Visa category.

A collection of new guides for employers has been published and can be found at this link. T2 (Worker) or T5 (Temporary Worker): guidance for sponsors – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Some welcome changes have been made, including the abolition of the “Resident Labour Test”, the scrapping of the annual cap on certificates of sponsorship, a reduction in the required skilled level and a reduced minimum salary level. The “cooling off period” has also been removed along with the six-year maximum length of stay in the UK.

Sponsoring employers will still need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) if the skilled worker they wish to employ is outside the UK. Such certificates are now called “Defined” certificates and detailed information on how to apply for them is set out in the new guidance and manuals.

From 1st January 2021, most skilled EU nationals who wish to work in the UK will need to be sponsored under this route and employers without a sponsorship licence are being encouraged to apply as soon as they can to ensure that they can employ relevant EU workers from next year.

For advice on the above or on any other aspect of the new immigration rules please email us on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk

New date set for immigration Health Surcharge Hike – 27th October 2020

Submit your immigration application before that if you can.

Most applicants will, from 27th October,  have to pay £624 per year instead of £400 meaning that, for example, an application to extend your leave to remain as a spouse will cost £1560 instead of the current £1000.

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DELAY TO INCREASED HEALTH SURCHARGE

It appears that there will be a short delay in the implementation of the increased charges.

There may be more time to submit an application and to pay the current rate!

Please watch our website for further updates.

IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE TO INCREASE ON 1st OCTOBER-SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS NOW IF ELIGIBLE

The Health surcharge will increase from £400 per year to £624 per year on 1st October 2020. This will apply to main applicants and their adult dependents.

Those who currently pay a discounted amount (students and their dependents and those applying under the youth mobility scheme) will still pay less but the discounted fee is rising from £300 per year to £470 per year.

All children under 18 years old will pay £470 per year.

Certain categories of applicant will remain exempt from needing to pay the health surcharge as set out in the guidance below.

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

For further information on the immigration health surcharge or on any other aspect of an immigration application please contact us on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk

MAJOR CHANGES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM 5th October 2020

From 5th October 2020 the Tier 4 ( General) and Tier 4 (Child) student routes will be replaced by a new Student and Child Student route. No new applications can be made under the existing routes after this date.

This route will apply to EEA national students from January 2021 but not until then.

There seem to be quite a few positive changes in the new route.

 Evidence of maintenance will not be required for student applicants who have already spent longer than a year in the UK.

 Students will be able to show that they meet maintenance requirements by relying on a wider range of accounts and will be able to rely on electronic bank statements.

 Students at higher education providers with a track record of compliance won’t routinely need to provide evidence of academic qualifications.

 Applicants will only need to prove their English language ability once.

 There will be no limit on the time that can be spent on postgraduate courses.

This is just a short summary and there is lots more detail to the new route. For more information on this or on any aspect of the immigration rules please email us on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk

GRACE PERIOD UNTIL 31ST AUGUST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LEAVE UNTIL 31st JULY BUT WHO NEED TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO LEAVE THE UK

In new Coronavirus issued on 29th July 2020 the Home Office has announced, at very short notice, a “ grace period “ for those whose leave will expire before or on 31st July 2020. This is to enable them to make arrangements to leave . Their conditions of stay will remain the same as before they were before their leave expired- so if they were able to work or rent accommodation previously they will be able to carry on doing so until they are able to leave.

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NEW IMMIGRATION SYSTEM TO BE INTRODUCED IN JANUARY 2021

There has been a lot of recent press coverage of the Government’s new immigration system, due to be introduced at the beginning of next year.

The most radical change is that it will apply to EU nationals as well as to those from outside the EU.

Employers who anticipate needing to employ skilled workers after January 2021, perhaps to adapt to no longer being able to employ EU nationals as easily as they can currently do, are urged by the Home Office to apply for a “ Sponsorship licence” as soon as possible. There is likely to be a long queue of employers applying so this is good advice. If you would like further advice on applying for a licence please contact us on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk

One welcome introduction will be a new graduate route enabling international students who have completed a degree in the UK to stay here for up to 2 years (or 3 years for Ph.D. graduates) to work.

The “Global Talent Scheme” will be opened up to EU EEA and Swiss nationals and will allow highly skilled scientists and researchers to come to the UK without a job offer.

Please look at our website for further updates and contact us if you would like advice on any of the issues raised in the Government’s recent information about the scheme.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-immigration-system-what-you-need-to-know?utm_source=5400821d-c203-483c-8cfa-0769c711d5d4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Coronavirus “Travel Corridors” in place as of 10th July

If you arrive in the UK  after 10th July 2020 you may no longer need to self-isolate , depending on where you arrive from and where else you have been in the last 14 days.

Arriving from one of the countries on the relevant Home Office list means that you will not need to self-isolate unless you visited or transited through a country which is not on the list within the 14 days before you arrive .

The list of countries can be found on this link but is subject to change.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors##countries-and-territories-with-no-self-isolation-on-arrival-in-england

You must still provide your journey and contact details in advance of your arrival by completing a “ Passenger locator form”.

https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

FINANCIAL CONCESSION FOR FAMILY AND PRIVATE LIFE APPLICATIONS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN LOSS OF INCOME DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

If you have lost your job or have a reduced income due to coronavirus this does not mean that you or your family member will be refused a visa or an application to extend leave to remain in the UK.

Employment income will be assessed for the period immediately before your income loss as long as you met the income requirement for at least 6 months before March 2020.

Similarly, if you have been furloughed and have a reduced salary, the Home Office will treat your income as being 100% of your salary.

Government Guidance

For further information on this or any other aspect of the immigration rules please contact us on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk